This rebuttal to last week’s post, On Dandelions and Sin, is brought to you by guest blogger Dan D. Lion.
On behalf of the Worldwide Dandelion Coalition, allow me to address the slurs cast upon our species in a previous blog post comparing us to spiritually and physically harmful human behaviour.
While the similarities pointed out in that post are apt, we at the Worldwide Dandelion Coalition categorically reject any inference that we, therefore, are a menace in need of removal. Our “fuzzy yellow suns, milky seed-puff moons,” to quote the offending post, provide much benefit:
- our blossoms are signs of spring, warming hearts
- we provide plentiful blossoms for loving children to give as bouquets
- we add colour, especially on overcast days
- children play with us, making dandelion necklaces and flicking our golden orbs at one another
- they also love to blow our seed globes, an act that causes much laughter and wonder among the young
- we hold our stark caps high once the seeds have blown, examples of standing strong and authentic with no pretense at youth and no shame about our lost beauty
- certain of our roots and leaves are, in fact, edible, and humans can enjoy us as greens, wine, coffee substitute, tea and herbal remedies (The Morning Chores site lists “21 Surprisingly Tasty Dandelion Recipes“)
- our graceful stems that bow under lawnmowers and then stand again are examples of resilience
- we may be considered the symbol of courage
- the way we allow the wind to scatter our seed can show humans the value of trusting the Creator to direct each one’s path – contrary to implications in last Friday’s post, we do not plan a calculated invasion and instead we bloom where we’re planted
- the Creator’s care for us is meant to remind humans to trust His even greater care for them (Matthew 6:28-30)
- there are 250 species of dandelion – this speaks to humans of accepting diversity and of adapting to new circumstances
- honeybees love us – and humans love honey
- to those who appreciate us despite our hurtful designation as weeds, we illustrate maxims such as “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and “One man’s treasure is another man’s poison”
- while still maligned as a “noxious weed” in parts of Canada, dandelions have mercifully been removed from the city of Calgary’s hit list and are even embraced by the province of British Columbia as an “agricultural commodity” (read Dandelions Finally Get their Day in the Sun: National Post, 2010)
- we’ve also inspired production of dandelion paperweights (see the completed Kickstarter campaign here)
- the sight of us can be a simple pleasure
- we have inspired poetry
- watch this video: Time Lapse Dandelion Flower to Seed Head, filmed by Neil Bromholl. Aren’t we beautiful?
Whether you can accept us on your property or not, dandelions are here to stay, and we invite you to appreciate us as much as you can, and to let us brighten your spirits.
Respectfully,
Dan D. Lion
Spokesblossom, Worldwide Dandelion Coalition
“We come in peace.”
Related articles
- Tuesday is Herb Day – DANDELIONS! (lilithsherbgarden.wordpress.com)
- Bee decline: Dandelions may help reverse losses (scotsman.com)
- Dandelion Floating. (dandelionfascade.wordpress.com)
- On Dandelions and Sin (janetsketchley.ca)
- Weeds are actually very pretty and very nutritious… (deliziososkincare.wordpress.com)
- The Edible Gardener (sarahheatongardens.wordpress.com)
- 10 Ways To Use Dandelion Greens – Kitchn Recipe Roundup (thekitchn.com)